Delhi Police arrest Nigerian couple for defrauding man of Rs 8 lakhs

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The Delhi Police have nabbed two Nigerians, including a woman posing as a citizen of the United Kingdom, for allegedly defrauding a local man of Rs 7 to 8 lakhs, according to a report in ANI.

According to the report in ANI, Ankit Kumar Dubey, the victim, filed a complaint with the IFSO unit of the Delhi Police Special Cell, forcing officials to file charges under relevant provisions of the IPC and the 66D IT Act. During the inquiry, the police were able to apprehend the accused pair.

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According to police sources, a woman posing as a UK citizen first communicated with a resident of Delhi's Vasant Kunj neighbourhood via the Sangam App. Their lengthy contact resulted in a deceptive scheme in which the woman pretended to be a UK bank employee interested in visiting India to investigate its historical monuments. She even forwarded her aeroplane ticket for an alleged November 20 arrival via Dubai, the ANI report added.

"A girl posing as a UK woman first befriended a man living in Delhi's Vasant Kunj area on social media and then defrauded him of Rs 7 to 8 lakh. Police have arrested a Nigerian couple," police told the news agency.

According to reports, on November 20, the victim received a phone call from a woman pretending to be a customs officer at Mumbai airport, reporting problems with Rebecca's paperwork and demanding money. Despite his reservations, Ankit gave Rs 50,000 following a tearful plea from the alleged Rebecca.

"The female caller said that she was a customs officer and that Rebecca had reached Mumbai airport. There is some issue with her document, due to which she has mortgaged her bracelet. She needs some money. First, Ankit refused to give the money, and then, when Rebecca started crying on the phone, he transferred 50 thousand rupees to the account number sent by the customs officer. After some time, he got a call again," the ANI report quoted a police official as saying.

Ankit was then pushed into transferring greater money, ostensibly for various expenses such as paperwork troubles, meals, medical, and other charges. In sum, around Rs 7 to 8 lakhs were fraudulently withdrawn from Ankit's account.

When suspicions were raised, the scammers immediately cut off communication, leading Ankit to realise the entire situation was a ruse and he had been duped.

Following Ankit's formal complaint to the IFSO unit of the Delhi Police Special Cell, the authorities filed a case under Sections 419/467/420/468/471/120B of the Indian Penal Code and Section 66D of the Information Technology Act. According to the police, a Nigerian couple was arrested in connection with the inquiry.